Jay Bruce/Defense - RedsZone.com - Cincinnati Reds Fans' Home for Baseball Discussion

RANDY IN INDY · 05-11-2009, 01:03 PM

Anybody liking Bruce's defense as much as I am. Has made some very nice plays and the arm is outstanding. If he continues to grow defensively, he could be a top notch rightfielder.

traderumor · 05-11-2009, 01:09 PM

Yes, and I imagine the pitching staff is liking it just as much, esp. considering what they had to endure from our OF D the last several years.

George Anderson · 05-11-2009, 01:12 PM

I have seen him play in person twice and both times he nailed a runner at home with a big league throw.

Best arm in RF since O'Neil.........but thats not sayin alot.

GoReds33 · 05-11-2009, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by George Anderson

I have seen him play in person twice and both times he nailed a runner at home with a big league throw.

Best arm in RF since O'Neil.........but thats not sayin alot.

Kearns had a cannon. I'm not old enough for O'Neil.

OnBaseMachine · 05-11-2009, 01:33 PM

According to UZR, Jay Bruce has been the best defensive outfielder in all of baseball so far. He currently has a UZR of +9.0. I don't know if he's the best, but he's been very, very good so far. That catch he made on Saturday night was outstanding. It's fun watching him develop into a superstar in all facets of the game.

traderumor · 05-11-2009, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoReds33

Kearns had a cannon. I'm not old enough for O'Neil.

I'd have to say O'Neill and Kearns arms were even, both in strength and accuracy. I think both were very good HS pitchers, O'Neill was for sure at Columbus Brookhaven (and a tough basketball player as well).

remdog · 05-11-2009, 01:40 PM

Bruce's work in RF was shoddy last summer but he seems to have gotten back to his game this year. He was always considered a 'plus' OFer in the minors.

Anyone else see the play where Kearns threw the guy out at the plate, from RF, on a force out! I don't think I've ever seen that before and we're talkin' BIG sample size here.

Jose Guillen had a bazooka when he was with the Reds.

Rem

Mario-Rijo · 05-11-2009, 01:41 PM

He has been leaps and bounds better this year no doubt about it. Very pleased with his approach of late as well, you can see he is trying to improve his game and it showing up in the #'s.

wheels · 05-11-2009, 01:51 PM

He was moved around a little too much last year, and in the minors.

I could tell the raw material was there, but it was obvious to me that he couldn't get into the comfort zone of playing different fields and angles.

He's got RF down now. Hopefully they'll leave him there if Taveras gets hurt or something. I think they will.

MasonBuzz3 · 05-11-2009, 01:59 PM

i would rate the recent Reds arms in RF as:
1. Hamilton/Guillen
2. Kearns
3. Bruce

but now that Bruce can focus solely on RF, he should be a top notch RF for years

remdog · 05-11-2009, 02:19 PM

Forgot about Hamilton but, yeah, the guy can definately air mail it.

Dave Parker was another one but goes back to a time that many of the posters here don't remember.

Rem

RedsManRick · 05-11-2009, 02:23 PM

Bruce looks like a guy with a lot of raw talent who is still learning the ins and outs of the position. Last year he was mediocre at best. This year he's been solid. We have to remember that he's spent most of his career in CF.

Add in that arm that helps him make up for perhaps a less than perfect route and I expect him to be even better next year.

MrCinatit · 05-11-2009, 02:50 PM

It's been a joy watching Bruce in the field. At times, he seems to have a Dave Parkeresque cannon. And not to beat a dead horse, but it is so refreshing to watch the catchers catch his throws, rather than have them bounce off their chest protectors as their are avoiding the collision.

jojo · 05-11-2009, 02:53 PM

UZR has to be taken with a grain of salt given the sample size but I think early returns are jiving with the eyes even if we can't yet trust the actual run values.

He's a monster in development and the world had better start looking for cover.

Also concerning Bruce and defense, one way to have approached the roster this off season would have been to pencil Bruce into center (he'd likely be something like a neutral defender there). This would have allowed guys like Swisher to become a real target since his contract wouldn't have prevented Bruce from eventually going back to the corner in a season (or two) nor would it have blocked a potential emergence of Stubbs.

osuceltic · 05-11-2009, 02:58 PM

He has been good, but still prone to lapses in concentration that result in the occasional bobble or drop. Once he eliminates those -- and he's guilty of similar lapses in other aspects of the game -- he will be a truly top-notch right fielder.

05-11-2009, 01:03 PM	#1
RANDY IN INDY Matt's Dad Join Date: May 2000 Location: Brownsburg, Indiana Posts: 14,503	Jay Bruce/Defense Anybody liking Bruce's defense as much as I am. Has made some very nice plays and the arm is outstanding. If he continues to grow defensively, he could be a top notch rightfielder. __________________ Talent is God Given: be humble. Fame is man given: be thankful. Conceit is self given: be careful. John Wooden

05-11-2009, 01:09 PM	#2
traderumor Unsolicited Opinions Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Right Down Broadway Posts: 17,646	Re: Jay Bruce/Defense Yes, and I imagine the pitching staff is liking it just as much, esp. considering what they had to endure from our OF D the last several years.

05-11-2009, 01:12 PM	#3
George Anderson Beer is good!! Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 4,119	Re: Jay Bruce/Defense I have seen him play in person twice and both times he nailed a runner at home with a big league throw. Best arm in RF since O'Neil.........but thats not sayin alot. __________________ "Boys, I'm one of those umpires that misses 'em every once in a while so if it's close, you'd better hit it." Cal Hubbard

05-11-2009, 01:33 PM	#5
OnBaseMachine Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 34,655	Re: Jay Bruce/Defense According to UZR, Jay Bruce has been the best defensive outfielder in all of baseball so far. He currently has a UZR of +9.0. I don't know if he's the best, but he's been very, very good so far. That catch he made on Saturday night was outstanding. It's fun watching him develop into a superstar in all facets of the game. __________________ I miss Adam Dunn.

05-11-2009, 01:40 PM	#7
remdog Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Newport Beach, CA Posts: 7,943	Re: Jay Bruce/Defense Bruce's work in RF was shoddy last summer but he seems to have gotten back to his game this year. He was always considered a 'plus' OFer in the minors. Anyone else see the play where Kearns threw the guy out at the plate, from RF, on a force out! I don't think I've ever seen that before and we're talkin' BIG sample size here. Jose Guillen had a bazooka when he was with the Reds. Rem

05-11-2009, 01:41 PM	#8
Mario-Rijo HOF CLASS OF '12 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Springfield, Ohio Posts: 8,994	Re: Jay Bruce/Defense He has been leaps and bounds better this year no doubt about it. Very pleased with his approach of late as well, you can see he is trying to improve his game and it showing up in the #'s. __________________ 2008 Reds Draft Prospect RZ Scouting Reports 2009 Reds Draft Prospect RZ Scouting Reports 2010 Reds Draft Prospect RZ Scouting Reports "You can't let praise or criticism get to you. It's a weakness to get caught up in either one." --Woody Hayes

05-11-2009, 01:51 PM	#9
wheels Dented and Spent Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 6,536	Re: Jay Bruce/Defense He was moved around a little too much last year, and in the minors. I could tell the raw material was there, but it was obvious to me that he couldn't get into the comfort zone of playing different fields and angles. He's got RF down now. Hopefully they'll leave him there if Taveras gets hurt or something. I think they will. __________________ "Opening Day.... Pfffft! We get all excited, thinking they're gonna have some kinda great year....Same thing over and over. Disappointment. What time do you want me to come over?" - My Dad. Opening Day 2012.

05-11-2009, 01:59 PM	#10
MasonBuzz3 Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 863	Re: Jay Bruce/Defense i would rate the recent Reds arms in RF as: 1. Hamilton/Guillen 2. Kearns 3. Bruce but now that Bruce can focus solely on RF, he should be a top notch RF for years

05-11-2009, 02:19 PM	#11
remdog Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Newport Beach, CA Posts: 7,943	Re: Jay Bruce/Defense Forgot about Hamilton but, yeah, the guy can definately air mail it. Dave Parker was another one but goes back to a time that many of the posters here don't remember. Rem

05-11-2009, 02:23 PM	#12
RedsManRick Stat Wanker Hodiernus Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 14,917	Re: Jay Bruce/Defense Bruce looks like a guy with a lot of raw talent who is still learning the ins and outs of the position. Last year he was mediocre at best. This year he's been solid. We have to remember that he's spent most of his career in CF. Add in that arm that helps him make up for perhaps a less than perfect route and I expect him to be even better next year. __________________ Games are won on run differential -- scoring more than your opponent. Runs are runs, scored or prevented they all count the same. Worry about scoring more and allowing fewer, not which positions contribute to which side of the equation or how "consistent" you are at your current level of performance.

05-11-2009, 02:50 PM	#13
MrCinatit Baseball card addict Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Piqua Posts: 4,426	Re: Jay Bruce/Defense It's been a joy watching Bruce in the field. At times, he seems to have a Dave Parkeresque cannon. And not to beat a dead horse, but it is so refreshing to watch the catchers catch his throws, rather than have them bounce off their chest protectors as their are avoiding the collision. __________________ whisper words of wisdom I wrote a book! My AmazonShort My other AmazonShort

05-11-2009, 02:53 PM	#14
jojo Five Tool Fool Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 16,569	Re: Jay Bruce/Defense UZR has to be taken with a grain of salt given the sample size but I think early returns are jiving with the eyes even if we can't yet trust the actual run values. He's a monster in development and the world had better start looking for cover. Also concerning Bruce and defense, one way to have approached the roster this off season would have been to pencil Bruce into center (he'd likely be something like a neutral defender there). This would have allowed guys like Swisher to become a real target since his contract wouldn't have prevented Bruce from eventually going back to the corner in a season (or two) nor would it have blocked a potential emergence of Stubbs. __________________ "This isn’t stats vs scouts - this is stats and scouts working together, building an organization that blends the best of both worlds. This is the blueprint for how a baseball organization should be run. And, whether the baseball men of the 20th century like it or not, this is where baseball is going."---Dave Cameron, U.S.S. Mariner

05-11-2009, 02:58 PM	#15
osuceltic Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Posts: 1,291	Re: Jay Bruce/Defense He has been good, but still prone to lapses in concentration that result in the occasional bobble or drop. Once he eliminates those -- and he's guilty of similar lapses in other aspects of the game -- he will be a truly top-notch right fielder.

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